Amoxicillin is a very common drug used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. These can include, but are not limited to, sinus-based issues, skin, and genital infections. Amoxicillin is frequently paired with other drugs to treat different types of bacteria that may be more severe or react to a specific type of antibiotic.

Indications and Usage for Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is used as an antibiotic treatment for a wide range of illnesses. The most common include ear, nose, and throat infections. In larger doses Amoxicillin can be used to treat infections on the skin, in the urinary tract, and the genitals. This includes gonorrhea. The antibiotic can also be combined with other drugs to treat bacterial infections stemming from H. plyori, which can cause ulcers.

Those who are allergic to cephalosporin or penicillin should avoid taking Amoxicillin. Allergic reactions to the antibiotics can be severe so it is vital that you seek medical attention immediately if you begin to feel the effects of one coming on. Some people have also developed diarrhea during the course of their antibiotics. If you or your child has a phenylketonuria, you may not be able to consume the chewable version of the drug that contains phenylalanine.

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic, so it cannot be used to treat viral infections like the common cold. When you are prescribed a dose of the antibiotics for another disease it is important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully. It is likely that your symptoms will decrease or subside in a matter of days, but you should continue the drug for the prescription's duration. This will ensure that any trace bacterial remnants will be eliminated from your system, so that the symptoms you were suffering from do not return.

Recommended Amoxicillin Dosage for Different Diseases and Age Groups

Amoxicillin dosage will largely depend on the size of the individual that requires treatment. Dosage will typically need to continue treatment 48 to 72 hours after the patient is asymptomatic. This usually means the patient will be treated for 10 days, though this may be adjusted for children under the age of 2 depending on their immune development. Infants should also be checked for streptococcus pyogenes throughout the course of their treatment to ensure that a more serious infection doesn't develop. Those with impaired renal function are also advised to avoid using Amoxicillin.

The notable difference in dose size will be for the treatment of gonorrhea, which will be treated with one dose of the medication, commonly paired with Probenecid. It is not necessary to take the drug with food, but you can mix it with a beverage or formula to make it easier for a child to take. If you prepare a dose of medication in this way serve it immediately and make sure that they finish the entire preparation. Children will commonly be given a liquid form of the medication while adults will be given a chewable or pill form. The effects of Amoxicillin on fetuses and newborns are unknown, so speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before you start taking it.

Table 1: Amoxicillin Dosage

Infection	Diseases	Severity	Usual Adult Dosage	Usual Dosage for Children >=3 months	Usual Dosage for Children 0-3 months
Skin/Skin Structure	Skin or soft tissue infection	Mild/ moderate	500 mg every 12 hours or 250 mg every 8 hours	25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 20 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours	The recommended upper dose of AMOXIL is 30 mg/kg/day divided q12h
Infection	Ear, nose throat, skin, genitourinary tract	Severe	875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours	45 mg/kg/day divided in doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours	30 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours
Lower Respiratory Tract	Bacterial presence in structures	Mild/ moderate or severe	875 mg every 12 hours or 500 mg every 8 hours	45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours	30 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours
Gonorrhea	Acute, uncomplicated genital or urethral	Any	3 grams in a single oral dose	Seek a physician. Probenecid should not be prescribed to children under 2 years.	50 mg/kg in a single dose

What if I Miss a Dose?

If you miss a dose of Amoxicillin, you can make it up as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, then do not make up the original dose. Instead, wait until it is time for your next round of treatment and continue to follow your regular dosing schedule. You should not, under any circumstances, take two doses at once.

Minimum Effect Dose and Tolerable Upper Intake Level

A single dose of Amoxicillin can be administered for conditions such as gonorrhea. These will typically be in 3 g dozes for a full grown adult. For adults, the minimum effective dose is 500 mg every 8 hours. Children under three months of age or that weigh less than 88 pounds will be limited to a 30 mg dose. Adults will need to determine their maximum dose based on body weight. Children are limited to 30 mg for every 2.2 pounds of body weight. If this amount is exceeded, the patient will need to seek immediate medical attention.

Dose for Children, Seniors, and Patients with Liver or Kidney Problems

Children over 88 pounds can follow the regular adult dosing for Amoxicillin. All others should follow the advice of their physician. The Amoxicillin dosage will largely depend their body type. Seniors are not restricted to a smaller dose based on age. However, if the patient is suffering from liver or kidney issues they should inform their doctor before taking Amoxicillin. The patient may need to lower their dosage depending on the severity of their condition if their body is unable to clear fluids and contaminants effectively.